Metallic Swimming Goggle Replacement Clip

ABSTRACT

A clip for securing a strap of a pair of swimming goggles includes: a body formed from a metal material. The body includes: a top edge, a bottom edge, and longitudinally opposite ends; a plurality of partitions arranged between the ends which connect the top edge to the bottom edge; a plurality of holes defined by the top edge, the bottom edge, the ends, and the partitions; a first strap-receiving slot positioned at a first one of the longitudinally opposite ends and a second strap-receiving slot positioned at a second one of the longitudinally opposite ends; and an indicia-bearing area extending from the top edge of the body and configured to receive an indicia thereon.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/876,471 entitled “Metallic Swimming GoggleReplacement Clip” filed Sep. 11, 2013, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, in general, to swimming goggles and, morespecifically, to a metallic clip configured to secure a strap ofswimming goggles thereto.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, swimming goggles have included a clip or buckle thatfits onto the strap for adjusting the strap to a desired length. Morespecifically, the strap is inserted into two slots formed on two sidesof the lens assemblies of the swimming goggles, and two ends of thestrap are inserted into the holes formed on the clip so that the strapcan be adjusted to a desired length.

However, such conventional clips are manufactured from plastic materialsand are very susceptible to breaking, particularly after repeated use.In addition, such conventional clips do not include an area to allowthem to be altered with the decorative indicia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a swimming goggleclip that is manufactured from a durable, metal material. In addition, afurther object of the invention is to provide a swimming goggle clipthat can be customized with a decorative indicia. Finally, anotherobject of the invention is to provide a swimming goggle clip that can beinterchangeably used with both bungee and ribbon style straps.

Provided is a clip for securing a strap to a pair of swimming goggles.The clip includes: a body formed from a metal material. The bodyincludes: a top edge, a bottom edge, and longitudinally opposite ends; aplurality of partitions arranged between the ends which connect the topedge to the bottom edge; a plurality of holes defined by the top edge,the bottom edge, the ends, and the partitions; a first strap-receivingslot positioned at a first one of the longitudinally opposite ends and asecond strap-receiving slot positioned at a second one of thelongitudinally opposite ends; and an indicia-bearing area extending fromthe top edge of the body and configured to receive an indicia thereon.

The body may have a length of about 1 to 1.5 inches, a height of about0.5 to 1.0 inches, and a thickness of about 0.025 to 0.075 inches. Themetal material forming the body may be stainless steel, aluminum, or anyother suitable metal material. The body may be curved along its length.

Also provided are swimming goggles that include: a pair of lensassemblies interconnected by a bridge; an elastic strap connected to thelens assemblies; and a clip for securing longitudinally opposite ends ofthe strap. The clip includes a body formed from a metal material. Thebody includes: a top edge, a bottom edge, and longitudinally oppositeends; a plurality of partitions arranged between the ends which connectthe top edge to the bottom edge; a plurality of holes defined by the topedge, the bottom edge, the ends, and the partitions; a firststrap-receiving slot positioned at a first one of the longitudinallyopposite ends and a second strap-receiving slot positioned at a secondone of the longitudinally opposite ends; and an indicia-bearing areaextending from the top edge of the body and configured to receive anindicia thereon.

Still further, provided is a clip for securing a strap of a pair ofswimming goggles. The clip includes a body formed from a metal material.The body comprises: a top edge, a bottom edge, and longitudinallyopposite ends; a first set of three slots positioned adjacent to a firstone of the opposite ends; a second set of three slots positionedadjacent to a second one of the opposite ends; a central hole positionedbetween the first set of three slots and the second set of three slotsin a central location of the body; and an indicia-bearing area extendingfrom the top edge of the body and configured to receive an indiciathereon.

The clip is configured to receive both a bungee type strap and a ribbontype strap. For instance, a bungee type strap may be secured to the clipas follows. A first end of the bungee type strap may be configured to besecured to the clip by: a) passing the first end of the bungee typestrap through a center slot of the first set of three slots in a firstdirection; b) passing the first end of the bungee type strap through thecenter slot of the first set of three slots in a second direction toform a loop; c) passing the first end of the bungee type strap throughthe central hole in the first direction; and d) passing the first end ofthe bungee type strap through the loop. A second end of the bungee typestrap may be configured to be secured to the clip by: a) passing thesecond end of the bungee type strap through a center slot of the secondset of three slots in a first direction; b) passing the second end ofthe bungee type strap through the center slot of the second set of threeslots in a second direction to form a loop; c) passing the second end ofthe bungee type strap through the central hole in the first direction;and d) passing the second end of the bungee type strap through the loop.

Alternatively, a ribbon type strap may be configured to be secured tothe clip as follows. A first end of the ribbon type strap may beconfigured to be secured to the clip by: a) passing the first end of theribbon type strap through a first slot of the first set of three slotsin a first direction; b) passing the first end of the ribbon type strapthrough a center slot of the first set of three slots in a seconddirection; c) passing the first end of the ribbon type strap through athird slot of the first set of three slots in the first direction; andd) passing the first end of the ribbon type strap through the first slotof the first set of three slots in the second direction. A second end ofthe ribbon type strap may be configured to be secured to the clip by: a)passing the second end of the ribbon type strap through a first slot ofthe second set of three slots in a first direction; b) passing thesecond end of the ribbon type strap through a center slot of the secondset of three slots in a second direction; c) passing the second end ofthe ribbon type strap through a third slot of the second set of threeslots in the first direction; and d) passing the second end of theribbon type strap through the first slot of the second set of threeslots in the second direction.

The body may further comprise a first strap-receiving slot positioned atthe first one of the longitudinally opposite ends and a secondstrap-receiving slot positioned at the second one of the longitudinallyopposite ends. The body may also be curved along its length.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the swim goggle replacement clip in usewith a pair of goggles in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the clip in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of the clip inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of another embodiment of the clip inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 5 illustrating themanner in which a bungee-type strap is secured thereto;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the clip of FIG. 5 having a bungee-typestrap secured thereto;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the clip of FIG. 5 illustrating themanner in which a ribbon-type strap is secured thereto;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 5 having a first end ofa ribbon-type strap secured thereto; and

FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the clip of FIG. 5 having a ribbon-typestrap secured thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the inventionas it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention may assume various alternative variations,except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices illustrated in the attacheddrawings, and described in the following specification, are simplyexemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting.

With reference to FIG. 1, a pair of swimming goggles S include a pair oflens assemblies 1 interconnected by a bridge 3, an elastic strap 5extending through a pair of through-holes formed in outer ends of therespective lens assemblies 1, and a clip 10 used to securelongitudinally opposite ends of the strap 5. The ends of the strap 5 areshown as being secured in engagement with the clip 10.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, and with continued reference to FIG. 1,the clip 10 includes: a body 12 formed from a metal material. The metalmaterial may be any suitable, light weight metal material such as, butnot limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, or any other suitable metalmaterial. The body may have a length of about 1 to 1.5 inches anddesirably 1.375 inches, a height of about 0.5 to 1.0 inches anddesirably 0.650 inches, and a thickness of about 0.025 to 0.075 inchesand desirably 0.06 inches. The body is desirably curved along its lengthas shown in FIG. 3.

The body 12 includes: a top edge 14, a bottom edge 16, andlongitudinally opposite ends 18, 19; a plurality of partitions 20, 21,22, 23 arranged between the ends 18, 19 which connect the top edge 14 tothe bottom edge 16; a plurality of holes 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 definedby the top edge 14, the bottom edge 16, the ends 18, 19, and thepartitions 20, 21, 22, 23; a first strap-receiving slot 30 positioned ata first one 18 of the longitudinally opposite ends and a secondstrap-receiving slot 31 positioned at a second one 19 of thelongitudinally opposite ends; and an indicia-bearing area 33 extendingfrom the top edge 14 of the body 12 and configured to receive an indicia35 thereon. The indicia 35 may be formed on the indicia-bearing area 33by any suitable metal working technique such as machining or stamping.The clip 10 may further include a centrally located hole 37 located in acentral portion of the body 12.

The clip 10 according to this invention can reliably retain the strap 5while providing increased durability since the body 12 thereof ismanufactured from a metal material. In addition, the clip 10 is highlycustomizable due to the addition of the indicia-bearing area.

With reference to FIG. 4, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, analternative embodiment of the clip 10′ may include an alternativeindicia-bearing area 33′ that is machined into a decorative shape.

With reference to FIG. 5, another alternative embodiment of the clip 10″allows for both bungee-type straps 39 and ribbon-type straps 41 to besecured thereto. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 also allows for bothtypes of straps to be secured thereto. The clip 10″ includes: a body 12″formed from a metal material such as, but not limited to, stainlesssteel, aluminum, or any other suitable metal material.

The body 12″ includes: a top edge 14″, a bottom edge 16″, andlongitudinally opposite ends 18″, 19″. A first set of three slots 50 ispositioned adjacent to the end 18″ and includes a first slot 54, acenter slot 55, and a third slot 56. A second set of three slots 52 ispositioned adjacent to the end 19″ and includes a first slot 57, acenter slot 58, and a third slot 59. A central hole 60 is positionedbetween the first set of three slots 50 and the second set of threeslots 52 in a central location of the body 12″. An indicia-bearing area33″ extends from the top edge 14″ of the body 12″ and is configured toreceive an indicia thereon. The body 12″ may further comprise a firststrap-receiving slot 30″ positioned at the end 18″ and a secondstrap-receiving slot 31″ positioned at the end 19″. The body 12″ mayalso be curved along its length. The central hole 60 allows the clip 10″to be used with a bungee type strap as discussed hereinafter. Inaddition, the slots of the first set of three slots 50 and the secondset of three slots 52 have a vertically offset position with regard toeach other as shown in FIG. 5. By positioning the slots in this manner,a ribbon type strap is more securely connected to the clip 10″ than witha conventional clip.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a bungee type strap may be secured tothe clip 10″ as follows. A first end 61 of the bungee type strap 39 maybe configured to be secured to the clip 10″ by: a) passing the first end61 of the bungee type strap 39 through the center slot 55 of the firstset of three slots 50 in a first direction as shown by arrow A₁ in FIG.6; b) passing the first end 61 of the bungee type strap 39 through thecenter slot 55 of the first set of three slots 50 in a second directionas shown by arrow A₂ in FIG. 6 to form a loop; c) passing the first end61 of the bungee type strap 39 through the central hole 60 in the firstdirection as shown by arrow A₃ in FIG. 6; and d) passing the first end61 of the bungee type strap 39 through the loop as shown by arrow A₄ inFIG. 6. A second end 62 of the bungee type strap 39 may be configured tobe secured to the clip 10″ by: a) passing the second end 62 of thebungee type strap 39 through a center slot 58 of the second set of threeslots 52 in a first direction; b) passing the second end 62 of thebungee type strap 39 through the center slot 58 of the second set ofthree slots 52 in a second direction to form a loop; c) passing thesecond end 52 of the bungee type strap 39 through the central hole 60 inthe first direction; and d) passing the second end 62 of the bungee typestrap 39 through the loop.

Typically, bungee type straps are secured to a pair of goggles using aspring loaded clamp. Such a spring loaded clamp is rather large anduncomfortable for the user. By using the clip 10″ of the presentdisclosure, a bungee type strap can be held more securely withoutslippage and is more comfortable for the user.

With reference to FIGS. 8-10, a ribbon type strap 41 may also beconfigured to be secured to the clip 10″ as follows. A first end 63 ofthe ribbon type strap 41 may be configured to be secured to the clip 10″by: a) passing the first end 63 of the ribbon type strap 41 through thefirst slot 57 of the second set of three slots 52 in a first directionas shown by arrow Bi in FIG. 8; b) passing the first end 63 of theribbon type strap 41 through the center slot 58 of the second set ofthree slots 52 in a second direction as shown by arrow B₂ in FIG. 8; c)passing the first end 63 of the ribbon type strap 41 through the thirdslot 59 of the second set of three slots 52 in the first direction asshown by arrow B₃ in FIG. 8; and d) passing the first end 63 of theribbon type strap 41 through the first slot 57 of the second set ofthree slots 52 in the second direction as shown by arrow B₄ in FIG. 8. Asecond end 64 of the ribbon type strap 41 may be configured to besecured to the clip 10″ by: a) passing the second end 64 of the ribbontype strap 41 through the first slot 54 of the first set of three slots50 in a first direction; b) passing the second end 64 of the ribbon typestrap 41 through the center slot 55 of the first set of three slots 50in a second direction; c) passing the second end 64 of the ribbon typestrap 41 through the third slot 56 of the first set of three slots 50 inthe first direction; and d) passing the second end 64 of the ribbon typestrap 41 through the first slot 54 of the first set of three slots 50 inthe second direction.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described indetail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A clip for securing a strap of a pair ofswimming goggles, the clip comprising: a body formed from a metalmaterial, the body comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge, andlongitudinally opposite ends; a plurality of partitions arranged betweenthe ends which connect the top edge to the bottom edge; a plurality ofholes defined by the top edge, the bottom edge, the ends, and thepartitions; a first strap-receiving slot positioned at a first one ofthe longitudinally opposite ends and a second strap-receiving slotpositioned at a second one of the longitudinally opposite ends; and anindicia-bearing area extending from the top edge of the body andconfigured to receive an indicia thereon.
 2. The clip of claim 1,wherein the body has a length of about 1 to 1.5 inches.
 3. The clip ofclaim 1, wherein the body has a height of about 0.5 to 1.0 inches. 4.The clip of claim 1, wherein the body has a thickness of about 0.025 to0.075 inches.
 5. The clip of claim 1, wherein the metal material isselected from the group consisting of stainless steel and aluminum. 6.The clip of claim 1, wherein the body is curved along its length. 7.Swimming goggles comprising: a pair of lens assemblies interconnected bya bridge; an elastic strap connected to the lens assemblies; and a clipfor securing longitudinally opposite ends of the strap, the clipcomprising: a body formed from a metal material, the body comprising: atop edge, a bottom edge, and longitudinally opposite ends; a pluralityof partitions arranged between the ends which connect the top edge tothe bottom edge; a plurality of holes defined by the top edge, thebottom edge, the ends, and the partitions; a first strap-receiving slotpositioned at a first one of the longitudinally opposite ends and asecond strap-receiving slot positioned at a second one of thelongitudinally opposite ends; and an indicia-bearing area extending fromthe top edge of the body and configured to receive an indicia thereon.8. The goggles of claim 7, wherein the body of the clip has a length ofabout 1 to 1.5 inches.
 9. The goggles of claim 7, wherein the body ofthe clip has a height of about 0.5 to 1.0 inches.
 10. The goggles ofclaim 7, wherein the body of the clip has a thickness of about 0.025 to0.075 inches.
 11. A clip for securing a strap of a pair of swimminggoggles, the clip comprising: a body formed from a metal material, thebody comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge, and longitudinally oppositeends; a first set of three slots positioned adjacent to a first one ofthe opposite ends; a second set of three slots positioned adjacent to asecond one of the opposite ends; a central hole positioned between thefirst set of three slots and the second set of three slots in a centrallocation of the body; and an indicia-bearing area extending from the topedge of the body and configured to receive an indicia thereon.
 12. Theclip of claim 11, wherein a bungee type strap is configured to besecured to the clip.
 13. The clip of claim 12, wherein a first end ofthe bungee type strap is configured to be secured to the clip by: a)passing the first end of the bungee type strap through a center slot ofthe first set of three slots in a first direction; b) passing the firstend of the bungee type strap through the center slot of the first set ofthree slots in a second direction to form a loop; c) passing the firstend of the bungee type strap through the central hole in the firstdirection; and d) passing the first end of the bungee type strap throughthe loop.
 14. The clip of claim 13, wherein a second end of the bungeetype strap is configured to be secured to the clip by: a) passing thesecond end of the bungee type strap through a center slot of the secondset of three slots in a first direction; b) passing the second end ofthe bungee type strap through the center slot of the second set of threeslots in a second direction to form a loop; c) passing the second end ofthe bungee type strap through the central hole in the first direction;and d) passing the second end of the bungee type strap through the loop.15. The clip of claim 11, wherein a ribbon type strap is configured tobe secured to the clip.
 16. The clip of claim 15, wherein a first end ofthe ribbon type strap is configured to be secured to the clip by: a)passing the first end of the ribbon type strap through a first slot ofthe first set of three slots in a first direction; b) passing the firstend of the ribbon type strap through a center slot of the first set ofthree slots in a second direction; c) passing the first end of theribbon type strap through a third slot of the first set of three slotsin the first direction; and d) passing the first end of the ribbon typestrap through the first slot of the first set of three slots in thesecond direction.
 17. The clip of claim 16, wherein a second end of theribbon type strap is configured to be secured to the clip by: a) passingthe second end of the ribbon type strap through a first slot of thesecond set of three slots in a first direction; b) passing the secondend of the ribbon type strap through a center slot of the second set ofthree slots in a second direction; c) passing the second end of theribbon type strap through a third slot of the second set of three slotsin the first direction; and d) passing the second end of the ribbon typestrap through the first slot of the second set of three slots in thesecond direction.
 18. The clip of claim 11, wherein the body furthercomprises a first strap-receiving slot positioned at the first one ofthe longitudinally opposite ends and a second strap-receiving slotpositioned at the second one of the longitudinally opposite ends. 19.The clip of claim 11, wherein the metal material is selected from thegroup consisting of: stainless steel and aluminum.
 20. The clip of claim1, wherein the body is curved along its length.